After going 6-2 on our picks for Thursday night, we stand at 11-7 overall, heading into action on Friday. We have six games ahead of us that are sure to keep us locked in heading into the weekend. Joel Embiid is back on the court against the Raptors after dropping 51 on the Minnesota Timberwolves this past Wednesday. We also have the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings meeting in a key Western Conference matchup, as well as Jordan Poole’s return to Golden State for the first time since being traded this summer.
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Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers – 7 PM EST
Raptors Last 10 Games: 3-7
76ers Last 10 Games: 7-3
Raptors Injuries: Christian Koloko – Out (Respiratory Illness)
76ers Injuries: De’Anthony Melton – Day To Day (Thigh), Robert Covington – Day To Day (Illness), Nicolas Batum – Out (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 5-0
The first matchup on our six-game slate for Friday features the Toronto Raptors hitting the road to take on reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the 76ers in Philadelphia. Embiid and the Sixers have dominated the last five matchups with the Raptors, going 5-0 in that stretch and winning seven of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
The glaring advantage for the 76ers tonight is going to be Embiid against the much smaller frontcourt of the Raptors. Toronto’s perimeter defense is solid and that may be able to slow down the attack of Tyrese Maxey but once things go inside, it could be a long night for the team up north. Against the likes of Jakob Poeltl and Precious Achiuwa, I expect Embiid to have another monster night and lead the 76ers to their 20th win of the year.
Prediction: 76ers def. Raptors 125-113
Denver Nuggets at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 6-4
Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6
Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Day To Day (Heel), Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)
Nets Injuries: Dennis Smith Jr. – Day To Day (Back), Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Lonnie Walker IV – Out (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 4-1
The other big man at the top of the MVP rankings, Nikola Jokic, is also back in action Friday night as the Nuggets continue on their East Coast trip with a stop in Brooklyn to take on the Nets. Jokic and the Nuggets have seemingly gotten back on track after a cold 10-day stretch that saw them drop three in a row and the team has now won five of their last six games.
The highlight for this one is going to be the matchup between Jokic and Brooklyn’s big men. Denver’s offense runs through Jokic and with Brooklyn’s limited ability to shut down the perimeter outside of Mikal Bridges is going to be a major issue. With Jamal Murray returning to his pre-injury form and the Nets lack of depth against Denver’s fast-paced offense, I expect the Nuggets to keep up with their winning ways fairly easily
Prediction: Nuggets def. Nets 121-110
Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat – 8 PM EST
Hawks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Heat Last 10 Games: 6-4
Hawks Injuries: A.J. Griffin – Out (Personal), Jalen Johnson – Out (Wrist), Mouhamed Gueye – Out (Back)
Heat Injuries: Kevin Love – Day To Day (Illness), Jimmy Butler – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Heat Leads 3-2
Our third matchup of the evening on Friday will feature the struggling Atlanta Hawks on the road in Miami to take on the Heat. Miami will be without Jimmy Butler once again as he nurses a calf injury which was no problem at all in their win over the Magic on Wednesday. The Hawks come into town fresh off a win on the road in Houston on Wednesday, their second win in a row.
Atlanta has the task of slowing down a Miami offense that is clicking on all cylinders right now even without their leader on the court with them. Tyler Herro has come back and wasted no time, averaging 26.5 points per game on 57.1% shooting since his return from injury this week. Rookie Jaime Jacquez Jr. has been impressive all season long and will be a matchup nightmare for Atlanta on this night. I expect Miami to be able to defend their home floor and keep up with their winning ways against the Hawks.
Prediction: Heat def. Hawks 115-110
Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST
Mavericks Last 10 Games: 5-5
Rockets Last 10 Games: 5-5
Mavericks Injuries: Dereck Lively – Day To Day (Ankle), Luka Doncic – Out (Quad), Kyrie Irving – Out (Heel), Maxi Kleber – Out (Toe)
Rockets Injuries: Tari Eason – Day To Day (Leg)
Last 5 Meetings: Mavericks Lead 4-1
The Dallas Mavericks hit the road on Friday night as well after a homestand that was very pedestrian for the Western Conference contender. The Mavericks travel into Houston with numerous issues in the injury department. Dallas will likely be without both members of their starting backcourt on Friday as Luka Doncic nurses a quad injury and Kyrie Irving remains out with a bruised heel.
When adding in the fact that Dereck Lively may not be able to return from his own ankle issues, the Rockets are set up to dominate Dallas to start the weekend. Alperen Sengun should have a big night, especially if he sees Dwight Powell across from him on the court, and without their stars on the floor, Dallas is likely going to struggle against the attack of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. Dallas will be in a fight to keep this one competitive as the Rockets should defend their home floor without issue
Prediction: Rockets def. Mavericks 119-110
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors – 10 PM EST
Wizards Last 10 Games: 2-8
Warriors Last 10 Games: 5-5
Wizards Injuries: Delon Wright – Out (Knee), Landry Shamet – Out (Rib)
Warriors Injuries: Gary Payton II – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 3-2
The first of two late games going on Friday evening is a grudge match of sorts. For the first time since being traded this summer, Jordan Poole will return to Golden State where he helped the Warriors capture the 2022 NBA title. Poole returns with the Washington Wizards who are coming off a win on the road Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
The game has lost a bit of its flair with Draymond Green suspended and away from the arena but it will be interesting to see how Warriors fans welcome Poole back into the arena. As for play on the court, the Warriors have picked it up recently, winning three in a row including a thrilling comeback over the Celtics on Tuesday. Expect Stephen Curry to be in top form tonight with Poole back in the building in a true battle of student vs. teacher.
Prediction: Warriors def. Wizards 116-108
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM EST
Suns Last 10 Games: 3-7
Kings Last 10 Games: 6-4
Suns Injuries: Josh Okogie – Day To Day (Hip), Keita Bates-Diop – Day To Day (Illness), Bradley Beal – Out (Ankle), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)
Kings Injuries: Alex Len – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Kings Lead 3-2
In our final matchup of the night, the Phoenix Suns travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings in a key Western Conference matchup. The Suns come in as losers of seven of their last 10 games as injuries continue to keep their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal apart. The Kings come in off a blowout loss on their home court to the Celtics on Wednesday looking to get back to their winning ways to kick off the weekend.
For the Suns, they certainly hope their star duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker can get back to their efficient ways in this one and avoid dropping to .500 on the season. Booker will see a favorable matchup with Kevin Huerter tonight and we should see plenty of attacking the mid-range and rim from him tonight. Phoenix’s defense will have their hands full trying to stop the perimeter attack of the Kings led by De’Aaron Fox who has averaged 30.3 points per game over his last nine games.
With their backs against the wall and a win desperately needed, I think Booker and Durant will carry their team to victory.
Prediction: Suns def. Kings 117-111
